Yosemite firefall: when, where and what time
On a few clear evenings in mid to late February, the setting sun lights Horsetail Fall on El Capitan and the Yosemite firefall glows orange. Below: sunset for every day of February, the weather forecast, and the National Park Service’s rules for watching.
Sunset at Horsetail Fall, February 2027
| Date | Golden light from | Sunset | Sun sets at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn on JavaScript to see the sunset times: about 5:33 pm on February 11 and 5:51 pm on February 28, 2027. | |||
Shaded: mid to late February, when the park says the firefall can happen. Times for a flat horizon; the ridges to the west put the fall in shadow a little before sunset.
Loading the National Weather Service forecast…
- DateMid to late February
- WaterThe fall must be flowing
- SkyClear at sunset
What the Yosemite firefall is
Horsetail Fall flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. It is a small waterfall that usually runs only in winter, and most of the year it is easy to miss. But on rare evenings in mid to late February, the setting sun catches it and the water glows orange, like a stream of fire on the dark granite. The park notes that it is entirely natural, though it recalls the human-made Firefall that once poured from Glacier Point.
When to see the firefall
Three things have to line up. The date has to be in mid to late February, when sunset strikes the fall from the right angle. The fall has to be flowing, which depends on the winter’s snow and rain. And the sky has to be clear at sunset: the park warns that even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish the effect or wipe it out.
In 2027 the sun sets at Horsetail Fall at about 5:33 pm on February 11, 5:38 pm on February 15 and 5:51 pm on February 28. Be in place well before then: the light on the fall fades as the sun sinks behind the ridges to the west.
Where to watch
The park sets up a viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area. Park at Yosemite Falls parking, just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge, and walk 1.5 miles each way. If it is full, park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and take the free shuttle to Yosemite Falls parking. Vault toilets and trash and recycling dumpsters are at the picnic area.
The park’s rules in late February
- Northside Drive: one lane closes to cars so people can walk between Yosemite Falls parking and the viewing area. No parking, stopping or dropping off passengers between Lower Yosemite Fall and El Capitan Crossover. On busy weekends the road may close for about half an hour after sunset. Vehicles with a disability placard may drive to the picnic area.
- Southside Drive: no parking, stopping or dropping off between El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge Picnic Area, and no walking along the road there; the riverbank between Cathedral Beach and Sentinel Beach picnic areas is closed.
- Reservations: none were needed to visit Yosemite or the Horsetail Fall area in February 2026. The park updates its Horsetail Fall page each winter: check it for 2027.
The rules exist because crowds grew fast: on February 19, 2022, 2,433 people gathered to watch, many on riverbanks and in the river itself.
What to bring
- Warm clothes, and a headlamp or flashlight for each person: the walk back is cold and dark.
- Warm footwear with traction for snow and ice.
- Patience: stay out of meadows and fenced areas, and keep off the riverbanks.
For other February light in the valley, our Tunnel View planner shows the sun setting straight behind you on February 16. More seasons are in the Nature Calendar.
Questions
When is the Yosemite firefall in 2027?
On clear evenings in mid to late February, when Horsetail Fall is flowing, the National Park Service says. It is never guaranteed: the glow needs a clear sky at sunset and water in the fall. In 2027 the sun sets there at about 5:33 pm on February 11 and 5:51 pm on February 28.
What causes the firefall?
The setting sun lights Horsetail Fall, a small waterfall on the eastern edge of El Capitan, so the water glows orange against the dark cliff. It only happens in mid to late February, when sunset strikes the fall from the right direction.
Does the firefall happen every year?
Not reliably. The park calls it rare: the fall must be flowing, which depends on winter snow and rain, and the sky must be clear at sunset. Even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish or eliminate the effect.
Do you need a reservation to see the firefall?
In February 2026 the park didn’t require one, but it does restrict parking and access along Northside and Southside Drive every day in mid to late February. Check the park’s Horsetail Fall page for the 2027 rules before you go.